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If there was going to be one final push, the time had arrived.
Homewood-Flossmoor trailed Bolingbrook by 15 points at the start of the fourth quarter. Somebody needed to take the lead.
Junior forward Ana-Liese Torian dialed it up.
“I tried to,” Torian said. “I’ve been trying to play a bigger role on the team, so I can help everybody and we can be good together.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Ana-Liese Torian goes up for a layup against Bolingbrook during the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game ion Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Daily Southtown)
First, she scored on a layup. A bit later, she made a steal, was fouled and hit both shots. Torian helped H-F get within single digits.
Alas, it wasn’t enough Thursday night. The host Raiders prevailed 61-50 in the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game.
“I thought we could do it,” Torian said. “We’re a strong group. And I still think we stuck it out to the end.”
Alyssa Latham led H-F (20-9) with 20 points and nine rebounds. Rachyl Robinson added 17 points, while Torian had six points and five rebounds.
Kennedi Perkins provided 18 points for Bolingbrook (22-5). Tatiana Thomas scored 16, while Angelina Smith added 14.
The end of the line against a conference rival didn’t shake Latham’s pride.
“It was a bumpy road,” Latham said. “We had ups and downs, and it was fun and exciting. It was really great to have our seniors, Rachyl (Robinson) and Miracle (Thomas), as part of the team.
“We learned a lot. We grew a lot stronger. The coaches were great. Personally, I feel like it was my best season so far. I worked hard.”
H-F was one of the toughest teams in the Southland this season, despite having the smallest roster. They began workouts with seven varsity players, adding an eighth when coach Tony Smith brought up sophomore Jordyn Miller.
Practices alone had to be interesting.
“It was definitely tough,” Smith said, laughing. “My assistant coaches got a chance to get into shape. They got a chance to go out there and contribute.
“To be an assistant coach here, you had to get down and practice. I have to credit them and our freshman and sophomore boys teams. They would go up against us and that helped us out a lot.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Rachyl Robinson (10) moves the ball against Bolingbrook’s Tatiana Thomas (2) during the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Daily Southtown)
The 6-foot Torian, meanwhile, emerged as one of the leaders.
She came into basketball season with a reputation as a track and field standout. In the spring, she won three individual state medals, including one for a first-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles.
“Ana-Liese was a kid who wasn’t quite serious about basketball,” Smith said. “When we had the shortened season during her sophomore year, it was fun for her. We’d practice a couple of times a week and play eight or nine games, so to her it was, ‘OK, this is fine.’
“But this season it was a four-month season, plus the lifting and running. I’m just proud of her for sticking it out and gutting it out. She’s a track kid who turned into a Division I prospect for basketball.”
Torian averaged 11 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Vikings.
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“Oh, man, she has gotten a whole lot better,” Latham said. “She’s not just a ballplayer. She’s a track star. She’s been working a lot all season, understanding why she’s here and why we want her on the team.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Alyssa Latham (23) pulls up for a shot against Bolingbrook’s Persais Williams during the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Daily Southtown)
“I’m really proud of her. I’m glad she was with us through everything.”
Torian was at her best during the playoffs.
In H-F’s win over Thornwood for the regional title, she had 17 points. Tuesday night against Marist, she had 12 points and a team-leading nine rebounds.
“Her commitment helped out big-time,” Smith said. “She was a kid who wasn’t looked at as a basketball kid, but she was an athlete and she came along and put in the work.
“And now look at her. She’s getting offers from the Big Ten and different schools. That’s great.”
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. If there was going to be one final push, the time had arrived. Homewood-Flossmoor trailed Bolingbrook by 15 points at the start of the fourth quarter. Somebody needed to take the lead. Junior forward Ana-Liese Torian dialed it up. “I tried to,” Torian said. “I’ve been trying to play a bigger role on the team, so I can help everybody and we can be good together.” Homewood-Flossmoor’s Ana-Liese Torian goes up for a layup against Bolingbrook during the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game ion Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Daily Southtown) First, she scored on a layup. A bit later, she made a steal, was fouled and hit both shots. Torian helped H-F get within single digits. Alas, it wasn’t enough Thursday night. The host Raiders prevailed 61-50 in the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game. “I thought we could do it,” Torian said. “We’re a strong group. And I still think we stuck it out to the end.” Alyssa Latham led H-F (20-9) with 20 points and nine rebounds. Rachyl Robinson added 17 points, while Torian had six points and five rebounds. Kennedi Perkins provided 18 points for Bolingbrook (22-5). Tatiana Thomas scored 16, while Angelina Smith added 14. The end of the line against a conference rival didn’t shake Latham’s pride. “It was a bumpy road,” Latham said. “We had ups and downs, and it was fun and exciting. It was really great to have our seniors, Rachyl (Robinson) and Miracle (Thomas), as part of the team. “We learned a lot. We grew a lot stronger. The coaches were great. Personally, I feel like it was my best season so far. I worked hard.” H-F was one of the toughest teams in the Southland this season, despite having the smallest roster. They began workouts with seven varsity players, adding an eighth when coach Tony Smith brought up sophomore Jordyn Miller. Practices alone had to be interesting. “It was definitely tough,” Smith said, laughing. “My assistant coaches got a chance to get into shape. They got a chance to go out there and contribute. “To be an assistant coach here, you had to get down and practice. I have to credit them and our freshman and sophomore boys teams. They would go up against us and that helped us out a lot.” Homewood-Flossmoor’s Rachyl Robinson (10) moves the ball against Bolingbrook’s Tatiana Thomas (2) during the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Daily Southtown) The 6-foot Torian, meanwhile, emerged as one of the leaders. She came into basketball season with a reputation as a track and field standout. In the spring, she won three individual state medals, including one for a first-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles. “Ana-Liese was a kid who wasn’t quite serious about basketball,” Smith said. “When we had the shortened season during her sophomore year, it was fun for her. We’d practice a couple of times a week and play eight or nine games, so to her it was, ‘OK, this is fine.’ “But this season it was a four-month season, plus the lifting and running. I’m just proud of her for sticking it out and gutting it out. She’s a track kid who turned into a Division I prospect for basketball.” Torian averaged 11 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Vikings. Daily Southtown Newsletter Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday “Oh, man, she has gotten a whole lot better,” Latham said. “She’s not just a ballplayer. She’s a track star. She’s been working a lot all season, understanding why she’s here and why we want her on the team. Homewood-Flossmoor’s Alyssa Latham (23) pulls up for a shot against Bolingbrook’s Persais Williams during the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional championship game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Daily Southtown) “I’m really proud of her. I’m glad she was with us through everything.” Torian was at her best during the playoffs. In H-F’s win over Thornwood for the regional title, she had 17 points. Tuesday night against Marist, she had 12 points and a team-leading nine rebounds. “Her commitment helped out big-time,” Smith said. “She was a kid who wasn’t looked at as a basketball kid, but she was an athlete and she came along and put in the work. “And now look at her. She’s getting offers from the Big Ten and different schools. That’s great.”